Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Mapping ‘data sources’ on animal diseases in each European Union (EU) Member State is one of the activities of EFSA's SIGMA1,2 project. The aim of this activity is to identify the central competent authorities responsible for managing the data on animal diseases and animal populations in each Member State. Initially EFSA is focusing on three diseases (on which EFSA is currently working): African swine fever, avian influenza and lumpy skin disease; and on the corresponding ...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Mapping the ‘data sources’ on animal diseases, in each European Union (EU) Member State, is one of the activities of EFSA 's SIGMA1,2 project. The aim of this activity is to identify the central competent authorities responsible for managing the data on animal diseases and animal populations in each Member State. Initially EFSA is focusing on three diseases (on which EFSA is currently working): African swine fever, avian influenza and lumpy skin disease; and on the corresp...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Mapping the ‘data sources’ on animal diseases in each European Union (EU) Member State is one of the activities of EFSA's SIGMA1,2 project. The aim of this activity is to identify the central competent authorities responsible for managing the data on animal diseases and animal populations in each Member State. Initially EFSA is focusing on three diseases (on which EFSA is currently working): African swine fever, avian influenza and lumpy skin disease; and on the correspond...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Mapping the ‘data sources’ on animal diseases in each European Union (EU) Member State, is one of the activities of EFSA 's SIGMA1,2 project. The aim of this activity is to identify the central competent authorities responsible for managing the data on animal diseases and animal populations in each Member State. Initially EFSA is focusing on three diseases (on which EFSA is currently working): African swine fever, avian influenza and lumpy skin disease; and on the correspo...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
The additive cassia gum consists mainly of high-molecular weight polysaccharides composed primarily of a linear chain of 1,4-b-D-mannopyranose units with 1,6-linked a-D-galactopyranose units. In 2014, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an opinion on the safety and efﬁcacy of cassia gum in cats and dogs. The Panel concluded, based on positive ﬁndings observed in a bacterial reverse mutation test with a semi-reﬁned cassia...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Maize MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 × DAS‐40278‐9 (four‐event stack maize) was produced by conventional crossing to combine four single events: MON 89034, 1507, NK603 and DAS‐40278‐9. The GMO Panel previously assessed the four single events and four of their subcombinations and did not identify safety concerns. No new data on the maize single events or their four subcombinations that could lead to modification of the original conclusions on their safety have been identified. Th...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out a public consultation to receive input from the scientific community and all interested parties on the genotoxicity assessment of chemical mixtures. The draft statement was prepared by a dedicated working group of the Scientific Committee and endorsed by the Scientific Committee for public consultation at its 89th plenary meeting of 28‐29 May 2018. The public consultation for this document was open from 26 June until 9 ...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
The first strategic objective of EFSA's strategy 2020 ‘Trusted science for safe food’ is the prioritisation of public and stakeholder engagement in the development of scientific assessment. To achieve this, objective public consultations are a key step for such a strategic framework. The draft Guidance document on communication of uncertainty underwent a web‐based public consultation from 4 May to 24 June 2018. The document provides guidance for communicators on how to com...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of two compounds belonging to chemical group 20 (aliphatic and aromatic mono‐ and di‐thiols and mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and polysulfides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups). 8‐Mercapto‐p‐menthan‐3‐one [12.038] and p‐menth‐1‐ene‐8‐thiol [12.085] are currently ...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
The additive under assessment is pure benzoic acid (> 99.8%), manufactured in the form of flakes. It is intended to be used as a technological feed additive (acidity regulator) in feedingstuffs for weaned piglets and pigs for fattening, with maximum contents of 5,000 and 10,000 mg/kg complete feed, respectively. Benzoic acid is safe for weaned piglets at 5,000 mg/kg complete feed, and at 10,000 mg/kg complete feed for pigs for fattening. The use of benzoic acid in feedings...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
This document provides guidance for communicators on how to communicate the various expressions of uncertainty described in EFSA's document: ‘Guidance on uncertainty analysis in scientific assessments’. It also contains specific guidance for assessors on how best to report the various expressions of uncertainty. The document provides a template for identifying expressions of uncertainty in scientific assessments and locating the specific guidance for each expression. The g...

Published on: Wed, 16 Jan 2019
This document provides guidance for communicators on how to communicate the various expressions of uncertainty described in EFSA's document: ‘Guidance on uncertainty analysis in scientific assessments’. It also contains specific guidance for assessors on how best to report the various expressions of uncertainty. The document provides a template for identifying expressions of uncertainty in scientific assessments and locating the specific guidance for each expression. The g...

Published on: Thu, 20 Dec 2018
Between 16 August and 15 November 2018, 14 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) outbreaks in poultry establishments in Bulgaria and seven HPAI A(H5N6) outbreaks, one in captive birds in Germany and six in wild birds in Denmark and the Netherlands were reported in the European Union (EU). No human infection due to HPAI A(H5N8) and A(H5N6) viruses have been reported in Europe so far. Seroconversion of people exposed during outbreaks in Russia has been reported in...

Published on: Fri, 14 Dec 2018
The EFSA Scientific Network on bovine spongiform encephalopathies and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (BSE‐TSE) held its 13th meeting on 15‐16 October 2018 in Parma. The meeting served as an opportunity to exchange scientific information on BSE‐TSE related issues among EU Member States, countries from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), EFSA, the European Commission and ad hocparticipants. In this occasion, ad hoc representation included the World A...

Published on: Mon, 19 Nov 2018
The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of non‐EU Monochamus spp., a well‐defined insect genus in the family Cerambycidae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Species can be identified using taxonomic keys at national and regional level, and DNA barcoding. Two online world catalogues exist for the genus. The genus includes about one hundred species and many subspecies colonising conifers and non‐conifer trees in many areas in the world. The non‐EU species are listed in...

Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
Following the submission of application EFSA‐GMO‐RX‐011 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto Europe, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority (GMO Panel) was asked to deliver a scientific risk assessment on the data submitted in the context of the renewal of authorisation application for the herbicide‐tolerant genetically modified soybean MON 89788, for food and feed uses, excluding cultivation within the European Union....

Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State Greece and co‐rapporteur Member State Germany for the pesticide active substance clodinafop‐propargyl are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of clodinafop‐p...

Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance tau‐fluvalinate. To assess the occurrence of tau‐fluvalinate residues in plants, processed commodities, rotational crops and livestock, EFSA considered the conclusions derived in the framework of Commission Regulation (EC) No 33/2008 as well as the European authorisations reported by Member St...

Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
The food enzyme is an endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This xylanase is intended to be used in baking and cereal‐based processes. Based on the proposed maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organic solids (TOS) was e...

Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
The applicant BASF Agro B.V. submitted a request to the competent national authority in Germany to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified for picolinafen in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. To address the data gaps, a new validated analytical method for enforcement of the residue in dry/high starch‐, high water content‐, high acid content‐ and high oil content commodities ...

Published on: Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out a public consultation to receive input from the scientific community and all interested parties on a draft guidance on the scientific requirements for health claims related to muscle function and physical performance, prepared by the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), supported by the Working Group on Claims. The draft guidance was endorsed by the Panel for public consultation ...

Published on: Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
EFSA has asked the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) to update the guidance on the scientific requirements for health claims related to physical performance published in 2012. The update takes into account the experience gained by the NDA Panel with the evaluation of additional health claim applications, changes introduced to the general scientific guidance for stakeholders for health claims applications and information collected from ...

Shirley’s Cookie Company Inc. of Claysburg, PA, is recalling its 16 ounce packages of "Chocolate Whoopie Pie" because they may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Published on: Fri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
EFSA was requested to deliver a scientific opinion on the implications for human health of the flavouring substance 2‐(4‐methylphenoxy)‐N‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐N‐(thiophen‐2‐ylmethyl)acetamide [FL‐no: 16.133], in the Flavouring Group Evaluation 411 (FGE.411), according to Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The substance has not been reported to occur in natural source materials of botanical or animal origin. It is intende...

Saratoga Springs, NY - Stewart’s Shops Corp. is recalling units of Stewart’s Shops brand Cranberry Apple Refresher 16 fluid oz. because the product may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. Approximately 2,300 units of affected product were distributed in upstate New York and Southern Vermont.

New Nan Fong Hong Trading Inc. is recalling its 16 oz (454g) packages of
Source Day Natural Treasures Dried Liquorice Slice because they
contain undeclared sulfites. Consumers who are allergic to
sulfite allergens run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic
reactions if they consume this product.

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Based on the “Human in vitro dermal absorption datasets” published as supporting information to the revised EFSA Guidance on Dermal Absorption, in silico models for prediction of absorption across the skin have been evaluated. For this evaluation, a systematic literature search and review was performed, identifying 288 publications describing mathematical models for prediction of dermal absorption. Eleven models potentially relevant to the regulatory assessm...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Stagonosporopsis andigena, the causal agent of black blight of potato, for the EU. The pest is a well‐defined fungal species and reliable methods exist for its detection and identification. S. andigena is present in Bolivia and Peru. The pest is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Directive 2000/29/EC as Phoma andina, meaning its introduction into the EU is prohibited. The ma...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the fungus Thecaphora solani, the causal agent of smut of potato, for the EU. The identity of the pest is well established and reliable methods exist for its detection and identification. T. solaniis present in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. The pathogen is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Directive 2000/29/EC, meaning its introducti...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The duration of the vaccination campaign sufﬁcient to eliminate lumpy skin disease (LSD) mainly depends on the vaccination effectiveness and coverage achieved. By using a spread epidemiological model, assuming a vaccination effectiveness of 65%, with 50% and 90% coverage, 3 and 4 years campaigns, respectively, are needed to eliminate LSD. When vaccination effectiveness is 80% to 95%, 2 years of vaccination at coverage of 90% is sufﬁcient to eliminate LSD vir...

Published on: Thu, 27 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Between 16 May and 15 August 2018, three highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) outbreaks in poultry establishments and three HPAI A(H5N6) outbreaks in wild birds were reported in Europe. Three low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) outbreaks were reported in three Member States. Few HPAI and LPAI bird cases have been detected in this period of the year, in accordance with the seasonal expected pattern of LPAI and HPAI. There is no evidence to date ...

Published on: Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The GMO Panel has previously assessed genetically modified (GM) soybean BPS‐CV127‐9. This soybean was found to be as safe and nutritious as its conventional counterpart and commercial soybean varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of its intended uses. On 16 February 2018, European Commission requested EFSA to analyse new nucleic acid sequencing data and updated bioinformatics data for GM soy...